Safety device for containers holding fluid under pressure

ABSTRACT

The invention is a safety device ( 1 ) for fluid containers including at least two units ( 3 ) to be engaged with each other so as to define an inner volume adapted to receive said fluid under pressure, the safety device ( 1 ) comprising a closing system ( 4 ) defining a closed position in which said units ( 3 ) are combined together in a fluid-tight manner, and an open position in which they can be mutually moved, a vent member ( 5 ) suitable to enable the fluid under pressure ( 2 ) to come out of the container ( 2 ) or prevent the fluid from coming out, and at least one junction mechanism ( 14 ) adapted to operatively connect the vent member ( 5 ) to the closing system ( 4 ), and lock the closing system ( 4 ) to the closed position when the vent member ( 5 ) is in the closed position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a safety device for containers holding fluid under pressure, each having at least two units to be engaged with each other and defining an inner volume adapted to receive said fluid under pressure, the device comprising: a closing system defining a closed position in which the units are combined together in a fluid-tight manner, and an open position in which they can be mutually moved, and a vent member defining a closed position and a venting position of said fluid under pressure in said container, at least one junction mechanism adapted to operatively connect said vent member to the closing system, the junction mechanism being suitable to lock said closing system to the closed position when said vent member is in the closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In particular, the device is adapted to avoid accidents or other problems resulting from an incorrect procedure in opening a container inside which there is a fluid under pressure and which is equipped with a removable quick-opening closure member.

In detail, the device can apply to a container or apparatus holding fluids which can be utilised in all plants involving use of equipment provided with a removable closure member, in particular industrial plants for producing enamels, paints, chemical and pharmaceutical products, foodstuffs, and intended for production of drinkable water, service or special waters for electronics.

It is known that presently these containers or apparatuses comprise a shell defining an inner volume inside which also suitable members intended for fluid treatment, such as filtering, can be disposed.

The shell is associated with ducts adapted to enable the fluid to enter and come out of said inner volume, and is provided with valves for stopping passage both of the incoming and outgoing fluid.

Finally, said shell consists of at least two elements that can be coupled, by a quick-action closure and opening operation, so as to define the inner volume, and in addition the two elements can be moved relative to each other in such a manner as to provide the operator with quick access to said inner volume for carrying out maintenance operations.

During maintenance, the operator causes working of suitable valves for stopping fluid passage and isolating the container from the rest of the system.

Therefore, part of the fluid under pressure is inside the container and it is therefore indispensable that pressure should be released before opening the container or apparatus. In fact, an incorrect opening would cause a violent escape of the fluid remained inside the apparatus and/or of compressed air, if the apparatus has not been suitably purged during the starting step, and the fluid and/or the compressed air would strike on the operator causing physical damages to him/her.

There is also the possibility that the closure member, generally not permanently fastened to the container's tank, may be projected by the aforesaid compressed-air cushion onto the operator's body.

In addition, toxic gases are often present inside the apparatus and they can cause permanent damages to the operator's health.

The availability of safety means enabling the above mentioned danger situations to be avoided is therefore of the greatest importance.

For this reason, these apparatus are equipped with elements, such as vent members, enabling fluid at the inside of the apparatus to be removed so that they can be opened in a very safe manner.

In these cases the operator, once the fluid flow is stopped, opens the relief valve enabling the liquid and/or gas inside the apparatus to come out, so that pressure inside the fluid-holding apparatus is reduced.

Once pressure reaches the same values as the atmospheric pressure, the operator opens the shell safely and carries out maintenance operations.

The known art mentioned above has some important drawbacks.

In fact, in spite of the presence of safety systems, accidents due to incorrect execution and non-observation of the opening procedures are frequent. Actually, as time goes by, the operator acquires more confidence in his/her capacities and mastery of the machine, which will lead him/her to underestimate the dangers resulting from the machine itself.

Therefore the operator, for negligence, lack of care or too much confidence, does not observe the safety regulations and therefore opens the shell when pressure inside it is still high, which will result in dangers for the operator himself/herself. Finally, the above described dangers are still greater if the apparatus is of the quick-action closure and opening type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Under this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to conceive a safety device for containers holding fluid under pressure provided with quick closure that is able to substantially obviate the mentioned drawbacks.

Within the scope of this technical task, it is an important aim of the invention to conceive a device enabling the apparatus holding fluids to be exclusively opened when pressure inside it is the same as the atmospheric pressure.

It is therefore a further aim of the invention to avoid that, due to lack of attention or too much confidence, the operator may not respect the safety regulations.

The technical task mentioned and the aims specified are achieved by a safety device holding fluid under pressure as claimed in the appended Claim 1.

Preferred embodiments are highlighted in the sub-claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention are hereinafter clarified by the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a portion of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device portion seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 a is a sectional view of the device;

FIG. 3 b shows a larger perspective view of the device in FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 a is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the device;

FIG. 4 b reproduces a perspective view of the device in FIG. 4 a; and

FIG. 5 is a variant of the device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the safety device according to the invention for containers holding fluid under pressure intended in particular for chemical and pharmaceutical plants, is generally identified with reference numeral 1.

In particular, the safety device 1 is adapted to prevent the operator from opening a container 2 when the fluid inside it is under pressure.

Therefore the device enables the rules established by the CE PED 97/23 Directive, addendum I art. 2.3 to be unequivocally observed, in which directive it is pointed out that opening of container 2 must be prevented by a mechanism authorising the opening operation only when the residual pressure in the container is the same as the atmospheric pressure.

The safety device 1 is adapted to be preferably used in medium- and small-sized plants intended for treatment of paints, chemical products, foodstuffs, such as chemical and pharmaceutical plants.

In particular, the safety device 1 can be disposed on containers, tanks, filters or other similar elements equipped with a quick-opening system.

Therefore, device 1 can be disposed on containers 2 even when the same are provided with suitable fluid-treatment members. For instance, container 2 can consists of filtering apparatuses and the like.

Container 2 comprises an outer shell made up of at least two units 3 adapted to be coupled with each other in such a manner as to define an inner volume suitable to receive the fluid under pressure.

In addition, container 2 has a preferred extension direction 2 a. Advantageously it is of cylindrical shape with at least one of the two portions in the form of a half-sphere. More specifically, at least the upper portion or cover or closure member is of hemispherical shape, or has a flatter form.

The safety device 1 is adapted to hermetically seal units 3 and to enable pressure of the fluid held in container 2 to be vented and/or released. For this reason it comprises a closing system 4 adapted to obtain said hermetically sealed closure and a vent or relief member 5 adapted to enable the fluid to get out of apparatus 2.

In particular, the closing system 4 defines a closed position in which it combines units 3 together in a fluid-tight manner and an open position at which it allows the operator to mutually move units 3.

The closing system 4 is of the quick-action shut type and in particular it is devoid of bolts for closing container 2 and can be manually operated by the operator without use of particular tools. Therefore, the closing system 4 comprises at least two sealing elements 6 and at least one locking device 7 adapted to fasten two of said elements 6 to each other causing closure of container 2.

Preferably, the sealing elements 6 are two in number and advantageously have the shape of half a ring so that, once said elements are joined to each other they will surround the whole junction region between units 3.

Units 3 in the junction region advantageously have two wings 3 a adapted to come into mutual contact when container 2 is closed and to be surrounded by the sealing elements 6, as shown in FIG. 2. Elements 6 in the contact region with wings 3 a have parts of elastomer or other similar material enabling hermetic sealing of the two units 3 to be obtained, once they are under pressure.

In addition, elements 6 in the vicinity of each end have projections 6 a to enable fastening of the elements 6 themselves by the locking device 7.

Device 7 suitably comprises an operating arm 8 adapted to connect and engage two sealing elements 6 with each other and a pin 9 located between projections 6 a of an element 6 and adapted to enable the operating arm 8 to rotate relative to said element 6. Preferably, the rotation axis of arm 8 is almost parallel to direction 2 a.

The operating arm 8 comprises components that are suitably connected to each other. Two of said components consist of a pivoting part 8 a secured to pin 9 in a motion-admitting manner and a cylindrical part 8 b adapted to create engagement between the sealing elements 6. Said parts 8 a and 8 b are further secured to each other by threading, to enable them to move close to and away from each other. The operating arm 8 further preferably comprises at least one flange 8 c (FIG. 5) the central axis of which is parallel to the main axis of arm 8. Flange 8 c is preferably in the shape of a ring coaxial with the cylindrical part 8 b and having a diameter bigger than that of the cylindrical part 8 b. This flange preferably is also adapted to exert pressure against the outer surface of projection 2.

The cylindrical part 8 b advantageously has a frustoconical portion placed close to the pivoting element which portion is adapted to be fitted between the projections 6 a of a second sealing element 6. In greater detail, due to threading, the cylindrical part 8 b is adapted to move close to the pivoting part 8 a forcedly fitting the frustoconical portion on projections 6 a of the second element 6, thus engaging the two elements 6.

The two sealing elements 6 can finally be provided with two locking devices 7 placed at the contact regions of the ends (see FIGS. 3 a and 3 b) or with a single locking device 7, as shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b.

In the last-mentioned case, elements 6 have a plate 9 a at one end, which plate is adapted to fasten elements 6 to each other, while enabling them to carry out a rotation so that they will move close to and away from each other.

The vent member 5 is advantageously disposed on the upper unit 3 and in particular, on top of the spherical cap of the upper base of container 2 which is advantageously provided with a hole enabling fluid escape.

The vent member 5 defines a venting or release position in which the vent member enables escape of fluid under pressure from container 2 and a sealing position in which member 5 prevents escape of said fluid from container 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, it comprises a cylindrical duct 10 enabling escape of the fluid from container 2, an operating block 11 shaped at least partly as a knob, for operating opening and closure of member 5, a junction body 12 for connecting duct 10 to the operating block 11, and a channel 13 adapted to at least partly contain the aforesaid elements. In particular, the cylindrical duct 10, operating block 11 and junction body 12 are mutually fastened by friction fitting or other technical solution adapted to rigidly connect them. Alternatively, the operating block 11 and body 12 are of one piece construction.

In detail, duct 10 has an inner cylindrical cavity 10 a that is blind and the axis of which is substantially coincident with direction 2 a, and at least one transverse opening 10 b substantially perpendicular to cavity 10 a and enabling said fluid to enter cavity 10 a.

To this aim, the inner portion of channel 13 is locally spaced apart from the outer surface of duct 10, defining a region 18 for gas passage.

Channel 13 is fastened at the hole present in unit 3 and in turn has a hole 13 a adapted to bring the inside of container 2 into connection for fluid passage with the transverse opening 10 b and therefore cavity 10 a.

Finally, the vent member 5 is advantageously provided with one or more O-rings 18 b or other sealing elements, preferably made of different elastomeric materials and, if necessary, of PFTE.

In particular, the closed end of duct 10 that is fitted in channel 13 is provided, at hole 13 a, with a sealing disc 18 a made of PFTE.

Region 18 is then maintained in a sealed condition by the O-ring 18 b placed over the transverse opening 10 b and between channel 13 and duct 10 and having an expanded portion substantially in contact with channel 13.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 2, channel 13 has an internally threaded portion 13 b adapted to mesh with a externally threaded respective portion present on the junction body 12, so as to move body 12 in a direction substantially coincident with direction 2 a. In detail, this threading enables body 12 to be locked so that the hermetic seal is obtained due to at least one of the sealing elements 18 a and 18 b, as better described in the following.

In some cases, this threading can have a particular profile so as to increase the sealing action obtained by one or more of said sealing elements.

In particular, threading 13 b is of a type not present on the market, so as to prevent tampering or closure by stoppers having a thread of the traditional type and the like. This is for the purpose of avoiding both tampering and elimination of the device.

The duct 10, operating block 11 and junction body 12 are advantageously rigidly connected to each other and in particular are of one piece construction. Due to this solution, movement of the junction body 12 and therefore of duct 10 can be controlled through the operating block 11.

In particular, the operating block 11 drives body 12 in rotation, which body, due to threading 13 b, moves duct 10 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction 2 a.

Device 1 also comprises at least one junction mechanism 14 adapted to operatively connect the vent member 5 to the closing system 4.

In particular, mechanism 14 is adapted to enable opening of the closing system 4 exclusively after opening of member 5, i.e. after the fluid has come out of container 2.

The junction mechanism 14 preferably comprises a sleeve 15 adapted to be externally secured to member 5, at least one friction-fit means 16 placed at a system 4 and adapted to prevent undesirable opening of same, and at least one tailpiece 17 for combining the aforesaid two elements together.

Sleeve 15 is preferably of cylindrical shape the axis of which is almost coincident with that of the duct and is adapted to contain at least part of the vent member 5 and, in greater detail, it is adapted to contain at least part of channel 13.

In addition, advantageously, it has such a shape that it abuts against the operating block 11 or, alternatively, the junction body 12. In particular, sleeve 15 is adapted to abut on the lower face of body 12, as shown in FIG. 1 so that, when the vent member 5 is closed, the junction body 12 inhibits movements of the shell in a direction substantially parallel to direction 2 b.

The friction-fit means 16 preferably has a C-shaped conformation so that it surrounds the projections of two elements 6 when system 5 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4 b.

In addition, when the operating arm 8 comprises flange 8 c (FIG. 5), the friction-fit means 16, in particular one of the arms thereof, is substantially in contact with flange 8 c when system 4 is in the closed position. In this way the friction-fit means 16 inhibits opening of the operating arm 8 so as to prevent any even millimetric separation of said two elements 6 when the closing system 4 is in the closed position.

Moreover, the friction-fit means 16, in order to enable a unique positioning on container 2, i.e. prevent incorrect positioning of same, can advantageously be provided with a peg 16 a, shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, adapted to be located between the projections 6 a of two adjacent elements 6 when the system is in the closed position 4.

If only one locking member 7 is present, the presence of plate 9 a allows the wrong angular positioning of means 16 at the plate itself to be prevented.

Alternatively, said unique positioning possibility can be obtained by means of suitable recesses 6 b made in the vicinity of the projections 6 a and adapted to partly receive means 16, as shown in FIG. 4 b. In particular, recesses 6 b have such a depth that they do not damage the closing system 4 capability of avoiding gas escapes, i.e. their depth does not prevent wings 3 a from being devoid of covering, which would enable an undesirable fluid escape.

In fact, both solutions can be simultaneously used, i.e. device 1 can be provided both with recesses 6 b and peg 16 a.

Finally, tailpiece 17 joins sleeve 15 to the friction-fit means 16 making them integral with each other, i.e. mutually constraining their movements.

Preferably, tailpiece 17, sleeve 15 and friction-fit means 16 can be made as a single component.

The junction mechanism 14 is suitably provided with a number of friction-fit means 16 and tailpieces 17 equal to the number of the locking devices 7.

In particular, if the closing system 4 is provided with two locking devices 7, the mechanism has two friction-fit means 16 and two tailpieces 17.

Operation of the safety device 1 described above as to its structure is the following.

First, container 2 is closed, i.e. units 3 are brought into contact, moving them close to each other in the direction 2 a, and are mutually fastened due to the closing system 4.

In greater detail, the sealing elements 6 of the closing system 4 are disposed close to wings 3 a, i.e. wings 3 a are placed inside them. At this point, using each operating arm 8, the adjacent projections 6 a are moved close to each other, in a direction perpendicular to direction 2 a, the two sealing elements 6 becoming mutually constrained.

When closure of unit 2 has been completed, the friction-fit means 16 is moved, in the direction 2 a too, which means is disposed at the locking device in such a manner as to enclose the projections 6 a of two adjacent elements 6 and lock flange 8 c. In particular, positioning of means 16 makes it advantageously interposed between the locking unit and elements 6.

Finally, if peg 16 a is present, the latter is placed between said projections 6 a, while if the sealing elements 6 are provided with recesses 6 b, the friction-fit means 16 is placed inside said recesses.

Due to this movement, sleeve 15 is allowed to be placed at the vent member 5 and more specifically sleeve 15 can be positioned in such a manner that it has part of channel 13 inside it.

At this point the vent member 5 is closed; through the operating block 11 and threading 13 b the junction body 12 is lowered so that it seals hole 13 a through the sealing disc 18 a. Through lowering of the junction body 12 for closure, sleeve 15 too is acted upon and the tailpiece 17 is lowered.

In greater detail, lowering of body 12 causes lowering of duct 10 which will close hole 13 a making container 2 hermetically sealed, thereby defining the closed position of the vent member 5. This is ensured by the advantageous presence of seals defined both by said disc 18 a and the O-ring 18 b placed between duct 10 and channel 13. Seals 18 a, 18 b are preferably made of elastomer or PFTE. Lowering of body 12 involves lowering of the junction mechanism 14 comprising sleeve 15, tailpiece 17, friction-fit means 16 and the optional peg 16 a.

Thus, both movements of the junction mechanism 14 in a direction substantially parallel to direction 2 a and any possible mutual moving apart of the sealing elements 6 in a way transverse to direction 2 a are locked.

When the described operations have been completed, container 2 is safely closed and ready for use.

When container 2 has to be opened, the safety device 1 compels the operator to carry out the following series of operations: opening of the vent member 5, removal of the friction-fit means 16 and final unlocking of the closing system 4.

In detail, first the vent member 5 is brought to the venting position by virtue of the operating block 11: the operating block 11 is rotated and, due to the presence of threading 13 b, it moves upwards together with body 12 and duct 10.

Lifting of duct 10 also causes lifting of the disc-shaped seal 18 a and consequent opening of hole 13 a. Thus the fluid in container 2 is allowed to outflow.

In detail, said fluid passes through hole 13 b, enters duct 10 through the transverse opening 10 b, travels over cavity 10 a and comes out of container 2. Above all, lifting of the vent member 5 enables sleeve 15 and therefore the junction mechanism 14 to be raised. Raising however does not take place to such an extent as to allow immediate removal of the friction-fit means 16 from its housing and therefore does not enable the operator to open container 2 until unscrewing at the threading 13 b has reached a predetermined level.

Therefore the vent member 5 has sufficient time for carrying out an appropriate pressure release in container 2, before the latter can be opened.

Once pressure inside container 2 is substantially equal to the ambient pressure, the fluid flow coming out of the vent member 5 stops and therefore opening of container 2 can take place.

First of all it is necessary to carry out removal of the junction mechanism 14. By suitably rotating the operating block 11, the junction body 12 is fully unscrewed until the end of its stroke, along axis 2 a, i.e. until full disengagement of body 12 from threading 13 b.

When this operation has been completed, the vent member 5 is removed so that sleeve 15 integral with the junction mechanism 14 is made free.

The mechanism 14 is shifted upwards enabling the friction-fit means 16 to come out of its seat and flange 8 c is disengaged. In greater detail, the junction mechanism 14 is shifted in a direction parallel to direction 2 a, allowing the friction-fit means 16 to come out of its seat and subsequently the closing system 7 is removed and opening of container 2 can take place.

At the end of this operation, opening of the closing system 4 has occurred. In detail, the operating arm 8 is rotated, as flange 8 c is open, and therefore the frustoconical portion is adapted to come out of projections 6 a enabling the operating arm to rotate thus releasing the sealing elements 6.

Ultimately, the sealing elements 6 are moved away from units 3 and it is therefore possible to open the holding apparatus.

The invention allows achievement of important advantages.

In fact, device 1 prevents the operator from opening container 2 without having first reduced pressure within the container itself.

Therefore, even if the operator is absent-minded or other troubling factors are present, since he/she must follow the above-described opening procedure, container 2 can only be opened in a safe manner.

In fact, due to the presence of mechanism 14 he/she is obliged to decrease pressure in container 2 through device 5 and only afterwards the closing system can be removed. In addition, a few-millimetre-opening of the two sealing elements 6 or even less is also impossible due to the presence of flange 8 a that at the opening would interfere with the friction-fit means 16.

Moreover, provision of peg 16 a and recesses 6 b allows angular positioning of the locking device exclusively in the correct location. In particular, in case of a single locking device 7, the junction mechanism 14 can be disposed in a unique position also due to the presence of plate 9 a.

Due to the particular threading 13 b and to the fact that a single mounting position exists, tampering of device 1 and therefore incorrect use of same can be avoided.

A further advantage resides in the possibility of starting the plant in a completely safe condition due to the advantageous presence of device 1. In fact, the apparatus is obviously vented before starting.

The invention is susceptible of variations falling within the scope of the inventive idea.

All of the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and sizes can be of any nature and magnitude. 

1. A safety device (1) for containers (2) holding fluid under pressure, each having at least two units (3) to be engaged with each other and defining an inner volume adapted to receive said fluid under pressure, said device comprising: a closing system (4) defining a closed position in which said units (3) are combined together in a fluid-tight manner, and an open position in which they can be mutually moved, and a vent member (5) defining a closed position and a venting position of said fluid under pressure in said container (2), at least one junction mechanism (14) adapted to operatively connect said vent member (5) to said closing system (4), said junction mechanism (14) being suitable to lock said closing system (4) to said closed position when said vent member (5) is in said closed position, wherein said closing system (4) comprises at least two sealing elements (6), adapted to mutually seal two of said units (3), and an operating arm (8) adapted to mutually engage two of said elements (6).
 2. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said units (3) are combined together in an oblique direction relative to the junction direction of said sealing elements (6).
 3. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said junction mechanism (14) is placed in the closed position in an oblique direction relative to the junction direction of said sealing elements (6).
 4. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closing system (4) is of the quick-action shut type.
 5. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said junction mechanism (14) comprises a sleeve (15) in the region of said vent member (5), at least one friction-fit means (16) at said closing system (4), and at least one tailpiece (17) adapted to make said sleeve (15) and friction-fit means (16) integral with each other.
 6. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said operating arm (8) comprises at least one flange (8 c) having a central axis parallel to the main axis of said arm (8).
 7. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said junction mechanism (14), when said system (4) is in the closed position, is adapted to prevent opening of said operating arm (8).
 8. A safety device (1) as claimed in claims 6, wherein said friction-fit means (16) when said system (4) is in said closed position is substantially in contact with said flange (8 c) in a manner adapted to prevent opening of said operating arm (8).
 9. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said vent member (5) comprises an operating block (11) adapted to dispose said vent member (5) in said closed position and make said sleeve (15) substantially integral with said container (2) to lock said closing system (4) to said closed position.
 10. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said operating block (11) is adapted to operate passage of said vent member (5) to the venting position and to enable movement of said sleeve (15) relative to said container (2) so as to allow said closing system (4) to move to said open position.
 11. A safety device (1) as claimed claim 1, wherein said junction mechanism (14) is provided with one friction-fit means (16) and one tailpiece (17) for each operating arm (8) which the closing system (4) is provided with.
 12. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least two of said sealing elements (6) contemplate the presence of a recess (6 b) formed in the region of said operating arm (8) for receiving said friction-fit means (16) when said vent member (5) is in said closed position and said closing system (4) is in said closed position, in a manner suitable to enable correct angular positioning of said closing system (4).
 13. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein at least one of said friction-fit means (16) comprises a peg (16 a) adapted to prevent said friction-fit means (16) from taking a wrong positioning, said peg (16 a) being suitable to be fitted between said sealing elements (6) when said vent member (5) is in said closed position and said closing system (4) is in said closed position.
 14. A safety device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein two of said sealing elements (6) consecutive to each other and in mutual engagement on rotation, are provided with a junction plate (9 a) disposed between them, and wherein said plate (9 a) is shaped in such a manner as to prevent insertion of said peg (16). 